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PIA News Service - Saturday, May 14, 2011

DOST introduces device to fight dengue mosquitoes

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 14 (PIA) – Dr. Nuna E. Almanzor, Director of the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the DOST said that the Institute has come up with a device that will help decrease dengue cases in the country through the ovicidal trap, otherwise known as the “OVITRAP”.

Almanzor said Ovitrap was first developed in the United States for the surveillance of Aedes Aegypti and was found to be sensitive and efficient to detect the population of Aedes even when the population densities were low.

Almanzor added that the ovitrap system is a device used to control the Aedes mosquito population and is found to be safe, economical and environment friendly as it uses natural active agent.

Further, Almanzor said the system can monitor, control and detect such mosquitoes thus acting as an early warning signal to prevent any impending dengue outbreaks. “It can be lethal to the eggs once a larvicide is incorporated on the eviposition substrate,” Almazor said.

The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that can spread the dengue fever, Chikungunya and yellow fever viruses, and other diseases. The mosquito can be recognized by white markings on legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the thorax. The mosquito originated in Africa but is now found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world.

Dengue cases reported to the different sentinel hospitals from January 1 to January 15, 2011 reached 1,340 cases, or 66.19 percent lower compared to the same period last year (3,963).

With this discovery of DOST, it is hoped that dengue cases in the country will gradually decrease especially in the coming rainy season where mosquitoes’ population is expected to increase because of the cool and wet environment. (PIA-Caraga)

DOH stresses need for new born screening

by Jerylle Anne O. Rivera

BUTUAN CITY, May 14 (PIA) – Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga discussed the importance of new born screening during Thursday’s launching of “Ligtas Buntis Pregnancy tracking, birth planning and barangay health team” in time with the celebration of “Safe Motherhood Week”.

According to Nanette Fat- Montilla of the DOH, new born screening is simply a blood testing to be able to know and prevent up-coming babies from illness. It is a must for the mothers to know their babies’ health condition 24 hours after the baby is born.

Montilla said the five metabolic disorders that can be acquired by a new born baby who was not able to undergo new born screening.

Montilla stressed Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting to mutations of genes for enzymes or early puberty at the age of 7.

Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth;Galactosemia is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects an individual's ability to metabolize the sugar galactose properly.

Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive metabolic genetic disorder characterized by an error in the genetic code for the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), rendering it nonfunctional.

Lastly, Montilla said Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. It is an X-linked recessive hereditary disease characterized by abnormally low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (abbreviatedG6PD or G6PDH), a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism.

The listed disorders can be determined in early 3-6 months existence of a new born baby, which can cause inimitable abnormalities for the babies.

“For mothers to prevent their babies from the said disorders, a simple test is enough, and that is through new born screening,” Montilla said.

With these developments, Montilla enjoins the parents to let their newly-born babies undergo the said screening to avoid disorders or will even result to child mortality and morbidity. (PIA-Caraga)